The Purpose Science and Innovation Exchange (PSiX) launched in April 2025 in the Bronfenbrenner Center for Translational Research at the College of Human Ecology received a $3 million grant from the John Templeton Foundation to study purpose in young people. The initiative will examine how youth develop and experience a sense of purpose defined as something they look forward to and work toward. The grant will fund the National Youth Purpose Survey, co-designed with researchers, youth, and youth-serving organizations, slated for early 2026 and engaging at least 2,000 youth aged 15–25. Results expected in late 2026 will assess links between purpose and well-being, surface research themes, and inform policies to support youth thriving. Anthony Burrow directs PSiX and emphasizes youth co-design and translational participation.
Research conducted with adults has connected a sense of purpose with a host of benefits, including better physical and mental health, more social connections and better resiliency,
Now, there is a need to carefully investigate these benefits in younger populations.
Involving those who will benefit from research in its creation is a hallmark of translational research,
Inviting young people to co-design this survey ensures that we are asking the right questions and allows us to model the kind of meaningful participation that we know helps young people thrive.
Collection
[
|
...
]